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  • New home sales outperform expectations

    New home sales outperform expectations

    According to a report from Realtor.com, new home sales performed better than expected in September, as homebuilders increasingly used incentives to entice hesitant homebuyers.

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, contract signings for new-construction properties reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 676,000 in September. This is 0.6% below August’s figure and down 5.3% from a year earlier, but more than the 653,000 forecast.

    New home sales in the Northeast rebounded 28% higher than last month and 10.3% higher than 2025. However, all other regions in the U.S. posted declines.

    Throughout 2026, builders have contrasted an unsteady housing market with buyer incentives, a strategy that has proven successful as sales outperform expected rates.

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  • NKBA announces Thirty Under 30 Class of 2027

    NKBA announces Thirty Under 30 Class of 2027

    The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) announced its Thirty Under 30 Class of 2027. This recognition celebrates exceptional young leaders whose passion, vision and creativity are shaping the future of the kitchen and bath industry.

    The Thirty Under 30 Class of 2027 will be officially honored at KBIS from February 2 to 4 in Las Vegas.

    “Being selected as a member of the NKBA Thirty Under 30 Class was a true honor,” said Cayleigh McCusker, Class of 2026. “To be recognized by your peers and colleagues in the industry as deserving for such an achievement is really a testament to the hard work paying off. Becoming part of this young, talented and driven group of individuals was a goal I set for myself, and I couldn’t be happier that it came true.”

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  • Tri Pointe Homes acquires 40 acres in Arizona for $20 million

    Tri Pointe Homes acquires 40 acres in Arizona for $20 million

    Tri Pointe Homes acquired roughly 40 acres in East Mesa, Ariz., for $20 million. This deal expands the builder’s offerings in the area with plans for a new gated community, Ascension.

    Ascension is expected to include 46 single-family homes across four distinct designs, ranging from 4,304 to 5,137 square feet.

    Land development is slated for Q4 2026, with sales expected to launch in Q1 2028.

    “Tri Pointe Homes is selective about where we invest and what we can uniquely bring to a market and Ascension adds something very intentional to our East Valley presence,” said James Attwood, Division President of Tri Pointe Homes Arizona. “This location gives us an opportunity to pair the advantages of an established city with a limited collection of premium homes designed to give homebuyers greater space, flexibility and a more intimate community experience. Mesa’s recognition as one of America’s best-run cities 1 further reinforces why we see long-term value here.”

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Housing Economy >

  • Fed holds benchmark rate

    Fed holds benchmark rate

    On Oct. 28, 2026, the Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate target range at 3.75%–4.00%. In a 10-2 vote, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) maintained a restrictive policy stance.

    Inflation remains elevated above the Fed’s 2% target. The Fed signaled it will wait for additional economic data before making further rate adjustments, like the September decision to raise rates for the first time in three years.

    “For housing, today’s hold on monetary policy avoids another increase in the policy rate that influences builder acquisition, development and construction lending costs,” said Robert Dietz, PhD, NAHB Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Economics and Housing Policy. However, financing conditions remain restrictive for projects already facing high development and construction expenses.

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  • San Francisco mansion sells for $28.5 million, breaking records

    San Francisco mansion sells for $28.5 million, breaking records

    A mansion in San Francisco sold for $28.5 million, $10 million above the home’s $18.5 million asking price, on Oct. 22, 2026. With eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms, the luxury residence was on the market for 20 days.

    The Cherry Street home is not the first big purchase we’ve seen from San Francisco’s luxury housing market: A home at 2 Sixth Ave. sold for $15 million, with a listing price of $8 million. In May, a home in Cow Hollow at 2512 Union St. sold for $15 million after listing for $7.95 million.

    We’ve followed the city’s luxury boom all year, which was largely attributed to the AI sector in San Francisco.

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  • New home sales hold steady in September

    New home sales hold steady in September

    According to the New Residential Construction Report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, sales of new single-family houses hold strong at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 676,000 in September 2026.

    This is a minor 0.6%  decline from a bright August report and a 5.3% year-over-year dip. The median sales price recorded at $400,400, up 3.9% month-to-month, yet is down 3.9% compared to the year before.

    Total for-sale inventory slowed to 476,000 units, bringing supply down to an 8.4-month pace.

    “Affordability remains a significant hurdle for prospective home buyers,” said Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). “Builders continue to offer incentives and adjust pricing to attract buyers, but elevated mortgage rates and high home prices are limiting the number of households that can afford to purchase a home.”

    Overall, resilient buyers, particularly in price tiers under $400,000, made up over half of all sales. This signals continuing opportunities for homebuilders operating targeted incentives, which, according to NAHB, 65% of homebuilders offer.

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Industry Developments >

  • Lennar eyes new mall-to-mixed-use redevelopment in Florida

    Lennar eyes new mall-to-mixed-use redevelopment in Florida

    Lennar, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, is planning to purchase the Boynton Beach Mall. The mall is currently scheduled to close in early 2027 and sits on 91 acres in Boynton Beach, Fla.

    The builder intends to transform the space with townhomes and mixed-use opportunities.

    “Although planning is in the early stages and we look forward to stakeholder feedback, our vision is to take advantage of this unique opportunity with a mix of single-family attached housing opportunities, complemented by retail, commercial, open space and civic uses that will create a walkable, connected environment,” said Danielle Tocco, Vice President of Communications at Lennar, in a statement.

    The market in South Florida is green for new developments, with Boynton Beach a particularly strong market according to Realtor.com. Homes in the area sell in a median of 76 days and at a median price of $348,000.

  • NKBA announces Thirty Under 30 Class of 2027

    NKBA announces Thirty Under 30 Class of 2027

    The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) announced its Thirty Under 30 Class of 2027. This recognition celebrates exceptional young leaders whose passion, vision and creativity are shaping the future of the kitchen and bath industry.

    The Thirty Under 30 Class of 2027 will be officially honored at KBIS from February 2 to 4 in Las Vegas.

    “Being selected as a member of the NKBA Thirty Under 30 Class was a true honor,” said Cayleigh McCusker, Class of 2026. “To be recognized by your peers and colleagues in the industry as deserving for such an achievement is really a testament to the hard work paying off. Becoming part of this young, talented and driven group of individuals was a goal I set for myself, and I couldn’t be happier that it came true.”

    Read Full Article 

  • Tri Pointe Homes acquires 40 acres in Arizona for $20 million

    Tri Pointe Homes acquires 40 acres in Arizona for $20 million

    Tri Pointe Homes acquired roughly 40 acres in East Mesa, Ariz., for $20 million. This deal expands the builder’s offerings in the area with plans for a new gated community, Ascension.

    Ascension is expected to include 46 single-family homes across four distinct designs, ranging from 4,304 to 5,137 square feet.

    Land development is slated for Q4 2026, with sales expected to launch in Q1 2028.

    “Tri Pointe Homes is selective about where we invest and what we can uniquely bring to a market and Ascension adds something very intentional to our East Valley presence,” said James Attwood, Division President of Tri Pointe Homes Arizona. “This location gives us an opportunity to pair the advantages of an established city with a limited collection of premium homes designed to give homebuyers greater space, flexibility and a more intimate community experience. Mesa’s recognition as one of America’s best-run cities 1 further reinforces why we see long-term value here.”

    Read Full Article

Market Research >

  • Mortgage rates ease to 7.32%

    Mortgage rates ease to 7.32%

    According to Freddie Mac’s recent Primary Mortgage Market Survey released on Oct. 22, 2026, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 7.32%.

    “The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage declined this week, offering some relief to prospective homebuyers,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.

    The current FRM is down from last week’s average of 7.40%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.19%.

    The 15-year FRM averaged 6.68%, down from the previous week when it averaged 6.71%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.44%.

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  • Mortgage rates hold steady

    Mortgage rates hold steady

    Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) is holding steady, averaging 7.40%.

    “The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage remained unchanged this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.

    As of Oct. 15, 2026, the FRM held steady at 7.40%, up from last year’s average of 6.27%.

    The 15-year FRM averaged 6.71%, down from the previous week’s average of 6.73%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.52%.

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  • NKBA Kitchen Trends Report: Functional features, wellness design and cool neutrals dominate

    NKBA Kitchen Trends Report: Functional features, wellness design and cool neutrals dominate

    What’s next for kitchen design? The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) released its Kitchen Trends Report, giving insight into the shifts we’re likely to witness in 2027.

    One of the major takeaways from the report is that kitchen layouts are shifting: moving away from fully open-concept spaces and towards more dedicated prep spaces such as a scullery. A slight majority of designers (52%) predict kitchens will become a larger foodprint inside the home in the next three years.

    The respondents noted that the kitchen is becoming a utility space for homeowners, with a focus on lifestyle and functional design. Popular integrations on the rise include dedicated beverage stations (90%), mudrooms and flex spaces (94%), pet feeding stations (63%) and smart appliance stations (73%).

    As for color palettes, experts responded that cool neutrals are here to stay, with greens (83%) and blues (75%) the top color choices. Moving toward material selection, quartzite is king, with 78% of designers naming it the most popular countertop choice.

    Smart home integrations are less focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), but responsive to wellness and climate demands.

    Only 27% of designers see an upward trend of ovens with food-recognition AI and 24% expect AI that learns and adjusts to cooking preferences. However, designers noticed an increased priority for leak detection systems and automatic shut-off valves (65%), backup power solutions (62%) and pointing to ventilation and air filtration systems (53%).

    “For the past several years, we’ve seen the kitchen expand in size. The 2027 Kitchen Trend Report reveals that this evolution is continuing, with the kitchen extending into more areas of the home,” said Bill Darcy, Global President & CEO of NKBA. “While the kitchen has always been the ‘heart of the home,’ that idea has taken on new meaning. From mudrooms and laundry rooms to back pantries and personalized work zones, the report shows that we’ve entered a new era of what the kitchen can do for homeowners – solving real problems, adding home value and elevating the way we live.”

    Read the full report

  • Dream Finders Homes seals $2.2 billion Beazer Homes deal

    Dream Finders Homes seals $2.2 billion Beazer Homes deal

    Dream Finders Homes has openly eyed Atlanta-based, energy-efficient homebuilder Beazer Homes since February of 2026. On Oct. 20, 2026, Dream Finders finally closed on the $2.2 billion deal.

    This marks the ninth acquisition for the Jacksonville, Fla.-based Dream Finders since 2021. The company is now expected to be the sixth-largest homebuilder in the nation.

    “Today, Beazer’s teams officially join ours, and the real work begins. We are closing this transaction in a challenging housing environment and we are clear-eyed about that,” said Patrick Zalupski, Founder, CEO, and Co-Chairman of Dream Finders.

    It remains unclear if Dream Finders will continue the energy-efficient legacy left by Beazer. They have not yet responded to a request for comment.

    Dream Finders affirmed that this deal will provide leverage in the current market; it also expanded its homebuilding presence into four new states.

    “This combination is built to perform throughout the housing market cycle,” said Rick Beckwitt, Co-Chairman of Dream Finders. “We continue to expect over $100 million of annual run-rate cost synergies and double-digit percentage EPS accretion in year one, while expanding our financial services platform and preserving the asset-light model that underpins our returns.”

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  • Builder confidence cools to 29 in October

    Builder confidence cools to 29 in October

    National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) /Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) fell three points to 29 in October.

    This repeats the three-point drop reported in September. Builder confidence sits at its lowest since 2012.

    Buyer traffic also took a hit, despite 43% of builders cutting prices and 65% of builders offering sales incentives.

    Regionally, the brightest spot is the Midwest, with permits up 2.9% and a HMI of 40. The Northeast and  South both fell one point to 38 and 30. The West remains the slowest market, declining to 26.

    “Housing remains squeezed by supply-side constraints and significant affordability challenges,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Mortgage rates have climbed well above 7% in recent weeks. Though builders are also contending with higher costs for construction loans, building materials and diesel, the administration’s efforts to advance regulatory reform are helping to ease some of the cost pressures they face.”

    Reflecting these policy shifts, the U.S. Department of Commerce is cutting duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports, while efforts are underway to suspend tariffs on all building materials through the Housing Tariff Exclusion Act.

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  • U.S. home sales see modest gains in September

    U.S. home sales see modest gains in September

    According to Redfin’s Home Price Index, on a seasonally adjusted basis, U.S. home prices increased 0.25% month over month in September. Although home sale prices rose slightly from 0.21% the previous month, home sale growth is in line with the modest gains seen in the U.S. housing market.

    According to the report, home prices rose in 34 of the 50 most populous U.S. metros month over month in September, with home prices rising most in Pennsylvania. In Philadelphia, home prices rose 1.9% month over month on a seasonally adjusted basis.

    Home prices fell in 16 of the 50 most populous U.S. metros, with the biggest price declines happening in Fort Worth, Texas.

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  • Mortgage rates hold steady

    Mortgage rates hold steady

    Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) is holding steady, averaging 7.40%.

    “The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage remained unchanged this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.

    As of Oct. 15, 2026, the FRM held steady at 7.40%, up from last year’s average of 6.27%.

    The 15-year FRM averaged 6.71%, down from the previous week’s average of 6.73%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.52%.

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  • September AIA ABI drops to 44.7

    September AIA ABI drops to 44.7

    The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently released the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) for September. The ABI score dropped to 44.7 from 47.2 in August.

    There is a slight silver lining in the continued decline: inquiries for new projects increased to 53.2. AIA reported a steady pipeline of future work, with backlogs stable.

    Multifamily residential and institutional firms appear to take the largest hit against the current market conditions.

    “This is an increasingly difficult environment for architecture firms,” said AIA Chief Economist Richard Branch. “Weakening billings are being compounded by a soft economy, challenging project financing and growing caution among clients. With fewer projects moving forward, there is little reason to expect a meaningful improvement in business conditions in the near term.”

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  • NAHB backs EPA and Army Corps rules proposal

    NAHB backs EPA and Army Corps rules proposal

    The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) requested that the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers further clarify rules on tidal changes and droughts, supporting the supplemental Waters of the United States (WOTUS) proposal under the Clean Water Act.

    NAHB is in favor of changes to the final rules to give builders and developers a more defined course of action during project planning, land assessment and permit requirements.

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Exclusive Feature

Exclusive Feature

  • Housing market could stabilize within 5 years

    Housing market could stabilize within 5 years

    According to Redfin, housing costs could stabilize within the next five years if mortgage rates fall to 6% and home price growth remains steady. On the other end, the housing economy could stabilize at a slightly longer rate, six years, if mortgage rates remain the same, at about 7.5%, and home price growth flattens.

    “Many house hunters feel stuck between two bad options: Stretch themselves to buy at today’s rates or wait for lower rates only to see prices climb further out of reach,” said Redfin Senior Economist Asad Khan. “But prospective buyers shouldn’t get hung up on timing the market. These hypothetical scenarios should give would-be buyers and sellers some hope that the market can normalize with only modest changes in rates or prices.”

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  • Brookfield Residential delivers wildfire-resilient homes in Altadena

    Brookfield Residential delivers wildfire-resilient homes in Altadena

    In late September 2026, Brookfield Residential welcomed the first homeowners back to La Viña following the early 2025 Eaton Fire, which destroyed 52 homes in the community.

    By partnering with municipal officials to deploy pre-approved design catalogs, the developer delivered quick turnaround times, with the residents moving in only six months after groundbreaking. All units were completed on or under budget while achieving Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) enhanced wildfire-resilience certification.

    “After witnessing their many different tragedies, it’s been exceptionally heartwarming to help these families return home,” said Brookfield Residential President and Chief Executive Officer Adrian Foley. “It’s also been instructive for homebuilders such as Brookfield Residential to collaborate on efficient and resilient methods of rebuilding in response to disasters.”

    Foley is also a cofounder of the Builders Alliance, a non-profit that brings together homebuilders for fire rebuild efforts. Brookfield Residential has projects in development in Altadena and under pre-development agreements in the Palisades.

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  • Tri Pointe Homes acquires 85.6 acres for new Austin community

    Tri Pointe Homes acquires 85.6 acres for new Austin community

    Tri Pointe Homes, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, announced the acquisition of 85.6 acres in Northwest Austin, Texas. 

    The company says that it intends to deliver an estimated 410 homesites in the community, Pearson Ranch. 

    Plans for the community include a mix of 40-, 45-, and 50-foot single-family homes and two elevations of attached row townhomes across multiple phases. 

    “We value the opportunity to develop this large portion of Pearson Ranch and bring much-needed housing to the region across a variety of price points,” said Bryan Havel, Division President of Tri Pointe Homes Austin. “With Williamson County’s proximity to major employers and convenient location, it’s no surprise that it is growing by approximately 25,000 residents per year and is among the top 10 fastest-growing counties in the U.S. We’ve put a lot of thought into how to best design and plan this desirable infill location for the benefit of those who will live here. We look forward to watching Pearson Ranch grow into a diverse, amenity-rich, mixed-use community.”

    Tri Pointe Homes also noted that the acquisition supports the Austin division’s continued growth.

    Land development for the community is likely to start in early 2027, with sales expected to begin in 2028. 

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    Photo courtesy of Tri Pointe Homes

  • Treasury yields jump, mortgage rates follow

    Treasury yields jump, mortgage rates follow

    Following the Fed’s decision to raise interest rates, the 10-year Treasury yield averaged 4.94%.

    “Yields climbed as bond markets priced in a Federal Reserve rate hike ahead of the September FOMC meeting, while weak demand at Treasury auctions added further upward pressure,” said Catherine Koh, Economist at the National Association of Home Builders.  “Broader concerns over elevated oil prices and geopolitical tensions, the U.S. fiscal deficit, and strong competition for capital from AI and hyperscaler investment also contributed to the rise in long-term yields.

    The 30-year fixed mortgage rate continued to jump and averaged 6.86% in September before climbing to 7% before the month ended.  Compared to a year ago, this is higher by 51 bps.

    For mortgage rates to be consistently elevated to the 7% threshold, the gains in affordability are effectively weakened. This continues to put pressure on the entry-level market and on builders to offer incentives like rate-buydowns.

    However, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate has still not recorded a level past the most recent peak of 7.62% in October 2023.

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  • Private residential construction spending rises in August

    Private residential construction spending rises in August

    According to the latest construction spending data from the U.S. Census Bureau, private residential construction spending came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $882.3 billion in August 2026. This is up 1.1% from July but down 4.8% from the previous year.

    All residential sectors saw an increase, but remodeling posted the largest monthly gain at 2.5%. Spending on single-family and multifamily construction increased by 0.2% in August, but decreased 3.5% and 0.6% from 2025, respectively.

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  • Economic growth increases in 44 states in Q2

    Economic growth increases in 44 states in Q2

    According to the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 44 states and the District of Columbia in the second quarter of 2026. GDP growth ranged from a 4.0% annualized increase in New York to a 2.3% decline in West Virginia, pointing to continued regional differences in economic performance. Most states recorded positive economic growth despite ongoing pressures from elevated prices and interest rates.

    For the housing market, differences in state-level economic activity have important implications for housing demand: Stronger local economies generally support household income and employment, while weaker economic conditions can weigh on housing activity.

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  • The latest Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index: Home prices up 1.9%

    The latest Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index: Home prices up 1.9%

    The latest S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index reported that national U.S. home prices increased by 1.9% year-over-year in July 2026, up from 1.6% in June.

    However, monthly price momentum remained subdued, with national prices edging up just 0.1% from June.

    Regionally, Midwestern and Northeastern markets remained strong, with cities such as Chicago and New York posting gains of 6.9% and 5.8%. Southern and Western cities like Seattle and Las Vegas declined.

    Homebuilders that can offer incentives such as mortgage-rate buydowns or closing-cost credits hold an advantage over traditional home sellers in the current market.

    “July’s data indicates that price growth is gaining momentum, albeit unevenly,” said Thomas Malone, principal economist at Cotality. “National appreciation reached 1.9%, outperforming June in most major metros. While prices rose just 0.1% over the month, seller concessions are opening up opportunities for buyers. This may be short-lived, however, with higher mortgage rates continuing to create a moving target for buyers, extending the uphill battle into fall.”

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  • Consumer confidence softens in September

    Consumer confidence softens in September

    Consumer confidence decreased in September 2026, according to the Consumer Confidence Index. The index is a survey measuring how optimistic or pessimistic consumers feel about their financial situation, consisting of two components: how consumers feel about their present situation and their expected situation. This index fell from 89.4 to 81.9 in September, the lowest level since April 2014.

    The Conference Board also reported the share of respondents planning to buy a home within six months. Those planning to buy a home rose slightly to 5.4% in September. Of the 5.4%, the shares planning to buy a newly constructed home and an existing home decreased to 0.4% and 2.4%, respectively. The remaining 2.6% were planning to buy a home but were undecided between new or existing homes.

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  • HUD and USDA agreement to streamline housing standards

    HUD and USDA agreement to streamline housing standards

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to streamline housing standards, including environmental review, environmental impact, environmental regulations and physical inspections. The MOU aims to advance housing development and increase supply.

    “The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) applauds HUD and USDA for streamlining environmental reviews and inspections, reducing regulatory barriers and advancing housing development,” said NAR Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn. “This action is an important step in implementing the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and building momentum toward reforms that reduce costs and increase housing supply. NAR helped shape the legislation and will continue working with federal agencies and regulators to advance policies that break down barriers to housing and homeownership.”

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